24-6-2023 (ROME) Around 40 individuals are reported missing after a tragic incident where a migrant boat capsized off the coast of the Italian island of Lampedusa, as stated by the United Nations.
The shipwreck occurred yesterday, and among the missing is at least one newborn baby, according to Chiara Cardoletti, the UNHCR representative to Italy.
The vessel had departed from Sfax in Tunisia and was carrying a total of 46 migrants from Cameroon, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast, confirmed Flavio Di Giacomo, a spokesperson for the UN migration agency IOM.
Di Giacomo explained that the boat encountered strong winds and high waves, resulting in its capsizing. “Some survivors were brought to Lampedusa, while others were returned to Tunisia,” he added.
“The missing individuals include seven women and a minor. All the survivors are adult men,” he further informed.
Since November, there has been an increase in the number of migrants arriving from sub-Saharan Africa via the Tunisian route compared to Tunisian nationals, Di Giacomo noted. He attributed this trend to individuals from sub-Saharan Africa fleeing discrimination in Tunisia.
“It is unacceptable to continue witnessing loss of life at Europe’s doorstep,” remarked Mr Cardoletti, expressing her concern.
Lampedusa, located in southern Italy, serves as one of the primary entry points for migrants undertaking the perilous journey across the Mediterranean. In the previous year, more than 46,000 people arrived on the island, out of a total of 105,000 arrivals in Italy, according to data from the UNHCR.
